As a chosen partner in good works, IGWT intends to grow the long-terms relationship with the FNGF into one providing broad and deep benefit to the children of our neighbors in the Guard who step up to keep our children and families safe.
The Florida National Guard Foundation provides economic support to the 12,000 men and women currently serving in the Florida National Guard. Through this grant the Foundation awards scholarships to soldiers’ children. The Foundation follows procedures to ensure they provide as many scholarships as possible, screenings, and follow up.
The Foundation operates as Direct Support Organization of the Florida Department of Military Affairs as provided by Florida Statutes, Chapter 250.115. The Foundation is organized and operated exclusively to raise funds; request and receive grants, gifts, bequests of moneys; acquire, receive, hold, invest and administer in its own name securities, funds or property and make expenditures to or for the direct or indirect benefit of the Florida National Guard.
Because the Foundation is a Direct Support Organization of the Department of Military Affairs, operating expenses are kept extremely low. This allows more funds to be placed in the hands of those Soldiers and Airmen that need financial assistance while serving our state and nation.
With the ongoing demands placed on the Florida National Guard, many of the members of the Florida National Guard have been on multiple deployments. These deployments, along with the depressed economy, have placed a burden on Guard Soldiers and Airmen.
Since 2004, the Foundation has provided over $1.5 million in assistance to over 1300 members. It pays bills direct for essential items, and provide gift cards for food and gas. It has provided $65,000 in scholarships, and help fund the Back 2 School Bash which provides needed school supplies for the service members' children. The Foundation assist with Camps for Deployed Service Members' Children to help them understand and cope with their parents or siblings being gone for long periods of time. The Foundation is always looking for new ways to help its members deal with the stress of being away from their families and defending our great state and nation. And the Foundation is there to help the families of Guard members, because when you are a member of the Florida National Guard, You are Family.
The Foundation’s funds go directly to the members in need and the Foundation is proud its records indicate that over 95% of all proceeds go directly to Guard Soldiers and Airmen.